If you’ve spent hours planning your dream wedding or thinking about the ideal life partner, the perfect engagement ring may have lurked in the background. Typically, it’s a traditional diamond solitaire set on a straightforward gold band—the more significant, the better.
However, many women now embrace the freedom to choose non-traditional ring designs that reflect their individuality and unique relationships. This empowers them to make a bold statement with their engagement rings.
Milan Choksi, CEO of fine jewelry firm Moksh, says, “From a consumer side, there’s an intense need to stand out by offering your input. Additionally, customization is simpler than ever, allowing designers to accommodate changing preferences.”
This spirit of adventure has prompted well-known companies, independent jewelers, and up-and-coming labels to question the status quo surrounding the conventional engagement ring. And now there is a ton of options for variation. Fancy diamond shapes, colored gemstones, and yellow gold are becoming increasingly popular. Personal designer and jewelry consultant Arundhati De-Sheth adds, “There’s so much more confidence when it comes to displaying individuality and sentimentality.”
Since both the times and our tastes are changing, why shouldn’t your engagement ring also reflect these changes? There’s no incorrect choice as long as it’s distinctively yours, whether you go for an oddly cut genuine diamond, a piece influenced by vintage design, or an unconventionally colored gemstone. Read on to view our selection of the most distinctive engagement rings that deserve your special day.
Why Opt for an Unconventional Design?
Staying from traditional designs can be a terrific option for the edgy, modern, or unconventional bride-to-be or for a more individualistic style who does not want to fit in with expected jewelry fashion.
Depending on the ring’s general design and the design components it includes, non-traditional rings may be more affordable and more accessible to customize. They may also be made with greater symbolic meaning and significance for the pair.
The Top 9 Unique Styles of Engagement Rings
Gorgeous non-traditional engagement ring options are plentiful, and each can be further tailored to a couple’s personal style preferences.
1. Ring Stacking
These thinner, more delicate rings are less statement-making than typical rings. However, you can customize the stack further by adding additional rings for special occasions, wedding bands, or anniversaries to modify the overall look and feel over time.
2. Colored Gold
If you want an engagement ring that truly stands out, consider choosing a more vibrant shade of gold than the conventional yellow or white. Shades of rose, green, red, blue, black, brown, or other colors can be exquisite options when additional metals are added to the gold alloy.
3. Toi et Moi Rings
Unlike engagement rings, which typically have a single center stone, toi et moi rings have two equal center stones. These could be jewels or diamonds, symbolizing people with identical or distinct rocks.
4. Oversized Rings
An extensive cocktail ring style can be bold and striking, but engagement rings are typically expertly balanced for the finger. With much more intricacy and drama than a classic design, this is an excellent choice for someone bold and assertive.
5. Unique Stones
Any engagement ring style can have a non-traditional look beyond diamonds or birthstones. Think of uncut, raw stones or exotic choices like bloodstones, watermelon tourmaline, salt-and-pepper diamonds, or other gems.
6. East-West Orientations
The majority of lengthy stone shapes, including the
- pear,
- oval,
- marquise,
- baguette,
- and emerald,
are orientated parallel to the length of the finger. Nevertheless, an east-west orientation that is perpendicular to the finger length can quickly give any ring a unique feel.
7. Band of Gemstones
A wide variety of vivid colors are available for gemstone bands, enabling customization and the expression of unique flair. The variety of colors can give the ring a completely distinctive look, regardless of the gemstone you select—opals, turquoise, sapphires, emeralds, rubies, or any other stone.
8. Filigree Designs
Designs with filigree work frequently have an old-world vibe, which makes them ideal for people who value timeless beauty. The starburst pattern, for example, can offer a retro Art Deco vibe to the band, and other symbolic forms can be a stunning non-traditional option for an engagement ring.
9. Tattoos
Engagement or wedding rings can be tattooed for couples who are more into ink than metal. Without worrying about the ‘ring’ becoming misplaced or broken in the future, the couple can have gorgeous, well-matched, personalized body art pieces.
Conclusion
Traditional engagement ring designs are no longer available to modern brides. Today’s brides can reflect their personalities, values, and tastes with many non-traditional options. The options range from classic styles and custom-made rings to colored jewels and other metals.
Non-traditional engagement rings provide something unique to every bride who wants to make an impact with their symbol of love, whether it’s a bold design that defies convention. This ethical choice reflects sustainability or a minimalist band with a subtle charm. Future engagement ring designs will undoubtedly feature even more uniqueness and ingenuity as brides redefine what an engagement ring might mean.
